Resilient tire.



0. A. ECKRE.

RESILIENT TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25. 1918.

1,278,447. PatentedSept. 10,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I q INVENTOR 0ZafA.Eo7Zre n4: woman PETERS cu Pncw-u'rnm. umsmlvc'mlv, n. c.

' 0. A. ECKRE.

RESILIENT TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED mi. 25. 91B.

Patented Sept. 10,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 TTORNEY flzafl lli'clire.

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OLOF A. ECKRE, OF KINDRED, NORTH DAKOTA.

nnsrmnnr TIRE.

Specification of Letters'la'tente Patented Sept. 10, 1918..v

Application filed January 25, 1918. Serial No. 213,658.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Orion-A. Eonnna citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Kindred, in the county of Cassand State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Resilient Tires, of which the following 1s a specification.

My present invention, which generally're lates to improvements in motor vehicle wheels, more particularly has reference to improvements in that form of spring wheel construction disclosed in my Patent No. 1,259,00 l, issued March 12, 1918, and my said invention primarily has for its purpose to provide an improved resilient tire construction in which the parts are especially designed and cooperatively so connected, whereby the spring members are securely maintained in the desired, coacting positions, when traveling under high speeds portionof great tra'ctive power and which forms a substantial and practical substitute for the conventional typesof pneumatic and cushion tires.

IVith the above objects in view, my present invention consists in the improved resilient tire construction referred to in the following description, specifically pointed outin the appended claims and illustrated in'the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a spring wheel that embodies my improved re'silient'tire construction, the mud and sand guard being omitted.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the separated ends of the rim and theresilient tire portions attached thereto, together with the coupling device hereinafter specifically mentioned] Fig. 3 is across section of my improved resilient tire construction taken on the line 3-3 on Fig. 2 and illustrates a preferred form of the spring units, the supplemental spring members hereinafter referred to be:

ing shown in this View.

Fig. t is a new slmilar to Fig. 3 but taken on different planes and-illustrates a somewhat modified form of the spring units, which, when assembled, form the complete tire. 1 p i Fig. 5 is a detail section onthe line 5-5 on Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail of a. portion of one of the belts for keeping mud and sand out of the spring units.

In my present construction of resilient tire, the tire consists of a number of'spring units designed for being individually applied to and connected with the split rim of the wheel and each unit assembled around the rim until the complete annular tire portion is formed thereon, means being also provided, in my present invention, to drawing the ends of the rim together anc looking the tire members in the desired operative condition on the split rim and the rim ends secured together. 1

In my present construction of resilient tire, each of the spring units consists of a wedge-shaped member 1, the wide ,or tread portion of which is bent to form a substantially semi-circular spring loop 10,.the free. ends of which are bent inwardly to form transversely disposed elongated loop portions 11, the loop portion at one side being 7 cutqout or bifurcated as atfl l to receive] the opposing loop portion therebetween, to provide for the two spring loops 1111 crossing each other, as is best shown in Fig. 3, by reference to which it will be also noticed the free ends of the loops 11-11 terminate in circular members 12, the purpose of which will presently appear.

2 designates the wheel rim, the split or separated ends of which terminate in inwardly projected apertured members 20-2O for receiving the clamping bolt and nut devices 3-30, as shown.

In my present resilient tire construction, the rim 2 is also formed at the opposite" edges with annular pockets t I for receiving the circular members 12- 12 of the spring units .1, by which the said units are firmly interlocked with the and against lateral displacement.

In practice, the spring units '1 are first placed edgewise between the separated ends of the rim and are then forced sidewise along the peripheral rim surface and with their loops 12 in engagement with the pockets k4.

To provide a positive tractive engagement of the tire asit travels, the outer or tread face of each of the spring units'has a squared like rib 14L, V-shaped in cross section, that is pressed out from the tread faceof the spring and which provides for holding the tire against slipping and skidding and for effecting a positive tractive engagement with the road surface over whlch the wheel maybe passing. V

By referrmg now more partlcularly to F 1g. 2, 1t W'lll be noticed, the spring un ts are held togetherand joined by, what I term, a

' drawing them together, when finishing up the fitting of the annularseries of spring elements around the rim 2. l

One of the members 1 of each adjacent pair of the spring or tread units has'a' sheet metal spacer plate 17 at each end thereof and each of the said spacer plates has a periph eral bearing portion 17 cut on the arc of a circle with which, when the parts are assembled, the curved or tread portion of the springer tread unit 1 is held in engagement. The dpposite ends of the said spacer plate 17 are rounded as at 17 for resting in the curved seats 10 formed on the spring members 1 where they begin to extend in transverse directionand cross each. other.

Each plate 17 has a centrally disposed radially extended slot 18 through which the bumper ring, before referred to, passes and which primarily has for its purpose'to. keep the annular series of spring units 1in a straight row or alinement.

Plates 17 l7 are provided in eachalter-n nateones of the complete ring of spring units as is clearly shown 1n F1g..2, and the said plates .17, are held against transverse displacement byradial ribs17 that engage seats or notches 10 in the spring members,

as shown.

By forming the plates 17 with the elongated slots 18, ample space is provided on top of the bumper ring so the spring elements can go down to the top of the said ring only, it being understood that, when the spring members, under. a bump or other strain, are forced inwardly and engage the bumper ring, therstrain'is then transmitted throughthe said ring to the transversely or crossed loop portions of the spring units 1.

The alternate'ones of the springunits include end plates 9 of fiber or other suitable material, also shaped to fit within and against the spring members in which they are held and the said plates 9, which are loosely mounted on theirv respective members 1, are held pressed outwardlyagainst the plates .17 ofthe adjacent units 1, to thereby make the connection of the several co-engaging parts practically noiseless when. 9 P l un t ru s in te c o h r an that engages at the same time make the said connec ions mud and dust proof. f

'The bumper ring 7, before referred to, eX- tendsentirely'i around the wheel rim and, throughall of the plates 17 and the radially elongated slots 90 in the end members 9 and forconveniently drawing up the said ring I after the required spring sections have been assembled, a turn, buckle connection 6, that has opposite threaded ends 16, engages the right and left screw sockets 71 and 71in the' said ring, as shown. f v

For holding the loosely held end )lates 9 9 pressed up against the-plates 1 10- cated in the alternatev ones of the units 1,, a

pair of tubular spacing members 1313 are located between each pair ofjthe said plates 9+9 and the opposite ends of the said members 13 13 have screw sockets 1313- for receiving the ends of guide screws 1 l 1 1 that pass through apertures in the plates 99, as 'is clearly shown in Fig. e

The tubular members 13 are held in-rigid position, relatively to the members 1 in which they are mountedpby rivet bolts 13, that pass through the members 13 and con-' nect with the said members and the metal loop 10 of which the unit or member 1 is formed, as is clearly. shownin Figs. 3 and 1,;

The rivet bolt 13 also forms a central abut ment for the adjacent ends of coiled spring sections 13 13 mounted on the tubular spacing members 13 and whose other ends; engage with and hold the end plates 9-9 nprmazlly up against the spacing plates 1 1 f1515 denote supplemental loop springs thatfit within and reinforce the crossed loop ends of the springs 1, see Fig. 3. The members 15 may be omitted when my resilient tire is used for light load wheels. r

In Fig. 4, I have shown a modified form' of my resilient tire in which the same features of construction that are embodied in the other orpreferred form, is included.

In the modified form, the members 1, instead of being bentinto a single tread loop. or portion and a pair of crossed loop portions, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and v3, the tire is formed of two semi-circular'loops or tread. units 80 80 and the adjacent ends of the two units are bent into a .loop '11 thatextends across the full width of a rim 20 which form of my invention described.

The loop portion 11 referred to includes a centrally disposed Qoncaved portion ll central annular groove 33 in therim 20. Y

In the modified form, therim has a;cen--125.

tral annular seat groove 33in which is;re-"

ceived the curved portion ofthe cross over :4

members of the lnner loops that connectf withthetreadsSO.

3O designates ,a central tiresecuring ring,

mam

which, in practice, may be asplitringhaving an'ordinary turn buckleconnection (not shown) at themeeting ends thereof. I

Fromthe foregoing taken in connection with the drawings-the complete construc; tion and the advantagesof my present in- .vention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which my said invention relates. v v While I have described and shown my improved resilient tire construction as particu larly adapted forvusevon spring wheels, the same is not necessarily rcstrictedto spring wheels, since it maybe readily adapted for being mounted .on wheels havinglrigid spoke and hub connections. V V I For keeping'mud and sand from working into the tire, the exposed orcrossed loop portions of the annular ring of spring units are covered at each-side by canvasba-nds or belts 45 -45, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4L. What I'claim isz 1.' In a spring wheel, the combinatlon with asplit rim and means for drawing up the ends thereof; of a tire composed of tread units, each formed of spring metal bent into anarch shaped tread face and the free ends bent inwardly extended across loops, interlocking members on the rim and the-ends of each of thetread units, and means for se curing the said treadunits in annular rela tion on the rim; I I I 2. In a spring wheel, the combination with a split rim and means for drawing up the endsthereof; of. a tire composed of tread units, eachformed. of spring metal bentinto an arch shaped tread face and the free ends bent into inwardly extended crossed loops, interlockingmembers onthe rim and the ends of each of the tread units, means for securing the said tread units in-"annular-"relation on the rim, and arch shaped spacer members co operative. with the arch shaped "portions of each of the spring units, for holding the said, units to their shape' I 4 l ,3. In a spring; wheel, the combination with a split rimand means for drawing {up the ends thereof;of a tire composed of tread units, each of the said tread units being formed of spring metal bent into a semicircular shape tread portion, the free ends thereof being bentinto inwardly extended cross loops, interlocking members on the rim and the ends of each of the tread units, and.

means for securing thev tread units in annular relation upon the rim, the said means comprising a split ring that extends through all of the said tread units and devices for drawing the free ends of the ring together. 7

into an arch shaped tread face and the free ends bent into inwardly extended crossed arch shaped tread face and the free ends bent into inwardly extended crossed loops, interlocking members on the rim and the ends of each of the tread units, means for securing the saidtreadi units in annular vrelation on the rim, and supplemental, spring elements that fit within and cooperate with thelooped portions of the tread units:

- 6. In a spring wheel, he combination with a snliturim and means for drawing up the ends thereof; of a tire composed of units, each formedzof spring metal bent into an arch shaped tread face and thefree ends bent into inwardly extended crossed loops, interlocking members on the rim and the ends of each of the tread units, means for securing the "said tread units in annular rela tion on the rim, and supplemental spring elements that fit within and cooperate with the looped portions of the tread units, the saidsupplemental spring elements having end portions shaped for interlock'able engagement with the rimedges. 7. As an improvement in spring wheels having a spring tread-composed of units adapted for being assembled in annular re lation around and upon the rim; a wedge shaped tread, unit consisting of a 'spring plate bent to form an arched tread face and having'its ends bent toconstitu'te inwardly extendedloops that cross into each other and whose ends are shaped forinter lockable connection with a wheel rim.

whose ends are shaped-for interlockableconnection with a wheel rim, and internal members shaped to hold the arched spring tread portion to shape.

9. As an improvement in vehicle wheels of the character described, the combination with a split rim having means at the ends for drawing the said ends together, a resilient tire composed of wedge shaped units, each bent up from a suitable spring plate blank to form an arch shaped tread portion and with the free ends thereof bent inwardly rand outwardly to form spring loops, the loops at one side fitting between the loops v at the other side, the extremities of the said free ends and the wheel rim'hav'ing interlocking elements and disks within the arched portions that rest onthe crossed loops and are shaped for maintaining the tread-portions of the units inthe arched shape."

" 10. As an improvement in vehicle wheels ofthe character vdescribed, the: combination are shaped for maintaining the tread por tions of the units inthe arched shape, the disks in each alternate ones of the units and the said units having interlocking portions, the disks in the other alternate ones of the said units being endwise movable within their respective units, and means for holding the said movable disks in frictional contact with the fixedly held disks in the adjacent units. 7:

" .11. As an improvement in vehicle wheels of theacharacter described, the combination with a split rim having means at the ends for-drawing the said ends together, a resilient tire composed of wedge shaped units, each bent u'pfrom. a suitable spring plate blank to form an arch shaped tread portion and with the. free ends thereofbent ,inwardly and outwardly to form-spring loops,

the loops atone side fitting-between the loops at the other side,the extremities-of the said free ends and the-wheel rim'h'aving interlocking 'elementsv and disks within the arched portions that; rest-onthe crossed loops'and' are: shaped for maintaining the tread portions of the units-in the'arched shape, the disks in each alternate ones ofthe.

units and thesaid'units'having interlocking portions, the disks in the other alter nate ones of the said units being endwise movable within" their respective. units, and means for holding the said movabledi'sks in frictional contact with the'fixedly held disks the adj acei ti units, said means consisting of tubular members internally'threaded at their oppositeends, buffer Y springs mounted on the said tubular members forengag'ing the movable disks and forcing them out 'wardly and screw bolts engaging themov i able members and the tubular members 12."As an improvement in' vehicle wheels of'the character described, the combination with a split rim having means at the ends terlocking Ielementsanddisks within the archedportions that rest on the crossed loops and are shaped. for maintaining "the tread portions of the units ,in the arched shape, the disks in'each alternate ones of the units 'andthe said units having interlocking said free ends and the ,wheel rim having inportionsfthe disks in the other alternate ones of the said unitsbein'g endwise movablewithin their respective units, and means for holding the said movable disks in Jfric tional contact with the'fiXedly-held disks in the adjacent units, said means consisting of tubular members internally threadedat their at I opposite ends, bufler springs mounted'on the said tubular membersffor engaging'the movable disks and forcing theniioutwardly and 'screw bolts engaging the movable'membersand the tubular members, the said fixedly held and movable disks each having a central radially elongated aperture, and a .split. -ring that extends through't'he elongated-apertures in all of thejdisks, and means cooperatlng with'themeetmg' ends of the split ring for drawmg' tl1Q I'1I1g tO- geth'er to bind the annular tread members in close relation.

floples -ot this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing. the Commissioner of Patents,

' v r P j Washington, D. 0." a

oLoF A. Eo R 

